Goalkeeper Tim Krul has admitted he is ‘looking forward’ to returning to Newcastle next season.
The 29-year-old spent the duration of the 2016-17 campaign on loan away from St. James’ Park, returning to his native Holland to sign for both Ajax and then rivals AZ Alkmaar.
He failed to make a single appearance during his spell with Ajax over the first-half of the season, but made 20 appearances in all competitions for AZ, keeping just three clean sheets.
However, Krul is expected to return to Newcastle following the expiry of his loan deal, and could join up with the first-team squad at St. James’ Park for pre-season training on July 3.
The eight-time capped Netherlands international has yet to feature under Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez, and it remains to be seen what role he could have on their return to the Premier League.
But the experienced stopper admits he is ‘looking forward’ to his return, and that the club was ‘a massive part’ of his life, hinting that he still has a future on Tyneside.
He said, as quoted by the Shields Gazette: “It’s been a while – I’m looking forward to going back there after completing my loan deal at AZ.
“I’ve been at Newcastle for 11 seasons. It’s part of my life – a massive part of my life. My wife is from Newcastle. My little girl was born in Newcastle.
“I’ve got more links to Newcastle than just football. That’s something to be massively proud of.”
Krul was unable to feature when Benitez first took charge of Newcastle at the end of the 2015-16 season due to a long-term injury.
He had suffered a cruciate ligament injury ahead of the Premier League clash with Norwich on November 18, and was subsequently ruled out for the remainder of the season.
His absence at the start of the new season saw Benitez loan him out to regain his fitness, but the Spaniard currently has three senior goalkeepers already on the books, aside from the returning Krul.
Matz Sels, Rob Elliot and Karl Darlow have been competing for the No.1 jersey this term, and Krul will face a fight to regain his place in the starting eleven, should he remain at the club this summer.
Krul has just one year left to run on his current deal at St. James’ Park.